The Leaders and Representatives of Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States of America made the following statement on the margins of the Group of 20 Nations Leaders' Meeting in Saint Petersburg, Russia:

The international norm against the use of chemical weapons is longstanding and universal. The use of chemical weapons anywhere diminishes the security of people everywhere. Left unchallenged, it increases the risk of further use and proliferation of these weapons.

We condemn in the strongest terms the horrific chemical weapons attack in the suburbs of Damascus on August 21st that claimed the lives of so many men, women and children. The evidence clearly points to the Syrian government being responsible for the attack, which is part of a pattern of chemical weapons use by the regime.

We call for a strong international response to this grave violation of the world’s rules and conscience that will send a clear message that this kind of atrocity can never be repeated. Those who perpetrated these crimes must be held accountable.

Signatories have consistently supported a strong U.N. Security Council Resolution, given the Security Council's responsibilities to lead the international response, but recognize that the Council remains paralyzed as it has been for two and a half years. The world cannot wait for endless failed processes that can only lead to increased suffering in Syria and regional instability. We support efforts undertaken by the United States and other countries to reinforce the prohibition on the use of chemical weapons.

We commit to supporting longer term international efforts, including through the United Nations, to address the enduring security challenge posed by Syria’s chemical weapons stockpiles. Signatories have also called for the UN fact finding mission to present its results as soon as possible, and for the Security Council to act accordingly.

We condemn in the strongest terms all human rights violations in Syria on all sides. More than 100,000 people have been killed in the conflict, more than 2 million people have become refugees, and approximately 5 million are internally displaced. Recognizing that Syria’s conflict has no military solution, we reaffirm our commitment to seek a peaceful political settlement through full implementation of the 2012 Geneva Communique. We are committed to a political solution which will result in a united, inclusive and democratic Syria.

We have contributed generously to the latest United Nations (UN) and ICRC appeals for humanitarian assistance and will continue to provide support to address the growing humanitarian needs in Syria and their impact on regional countries. We welcome the contributions announced at the meeting of donor countries on the margins of the G-20. We call upon all parties to allow humanitarian actors safe and unhindered access to those in need.

European signatories will continue to engage in promoting a common European position.

So, according to the US and the supporters, there is no military solution for Syria but they will attack Syria militarily anyway:

"The evidence clearly points to the Syrian government being responsible for the attack, which is part of a pattern of chemical weapons use by the regime."

They will attack Syria militarily to "send a clear message that this kind of atrocity can never be repeated", even though they are fully aware that "Syria’s conflict has no military solution".

One of the keywords here seems to be "clearly". So they are not sure. The word is rather weak to justify bombing a country with 200 Tomahawk cruise missiles and B-2 and B52 bombers.

We haven't been shown any credible evidence beyond rebel-supplied youtube videos and a whisper of secret "intelligence" which may or may not have been doctored. A pattern of chemical weapons use by the regime? The UN has said the March 2013 attack was by the so-called rebels with make-shift devices.

18
comments:

Anonymous
said...

Australia is the ultimate in immoral and unethical international sluts, selling its ass to the war-monger cause. Anything to hide from its own feckless weakness and total refusal to arm itself, so it can stand aside from these criminals, rather than ride their coat-tails.

I'm Australian and ashamed and disgusted by what's 'normal', acceptable politically-correct echo-chamber 'thinking' within Canberra, and is pitiful national media. What disgrace.

And the pending new Government of Tony Abbot says he wants a much improved and expanded relationship with Indonesia. Yet Indonesia is one of the most incensed and vocal opponents to a US attack in this case.

Good going Canberra, this is what your "me too-ism", pro-Washington spinelessness, and shameless hypocrisy brings us all to ... yet again.

Sure hope OBAMA uses HIS private money.millions.. to cover this, as US taxpayers are not going to want to see the price tag....in human lives, economic,destabilization and other costs...With no clear way ahead, all this is doing is "face saving" for the current administration.

>>So they are not sureWhy isn't Russia interested in finding who did this?

There are no doubts, no other possible cause. It is clear. The Assad regime made the request and did lead this attack. You know, some islamist in US still think that the 2 brothers responsible for the boston marathon bombing did not do it!There is a limit to being naive. Clear mean clear.

>>We haven't been shown any credible evidenceWhat???how many children needs to die in front of you on youtube to say that you have seen enough evidence? A little research will show you that the wards bombed by Assad are located in anti-government dominated areas. Use of chemical bombs have been used several time in Syria this year, and always in anti-governement dominated areas.NO, they are bombing thesevles. And if you think they do, I very seriously think that Gov. Assad forces is a much better possible cause of this attack. Reading about other proves I found, they do indicate Pro-Gov. forces did this.The US army will no show you high resolution photographs and you will not hear recorded audio of Assad Pro-Gov. forces activities.

"How are Tomahawks going to protect the Syrians from chemical weapons?"

They will hit military target that cost so much money to the Assad regime that the regime will no want to repeat chemical attack, will be affraid to loose more money (warplanes, etc..) and loose the moral of his troups.

No doubt the syrians have weapons of mass destruction too, just like Iraq...oh wait...

Maybe we should look into who gains most from a chemical attack on a bunch of civilians:1. Assad? We are supposed to believe he has killed a bunch of civilians for no military gain, and risk bringing the USA/world in on his enemies side? Why would he do that?2. The rebels - not likely, same problem as Assad3. Rebel agents in Assads forces - eg false flag - yeah that could work nicely.4. America? An excuse for another far-away war - good for business, and good distraction from NSA spy woes at home

Any way you cut it, Assad would have to be completely stupid to do it, and I suspect hes not, since he has managed to hold power so long.

No, not at all. In this case the videos of children suffering exist. So we know Chemical weapons have been used.

In this case, US is not alone. Unlike for Irak, you should remember that US was alone and France for example did not beleive in the US proof that Irak had weapon of mass destruction.Now, it is the opposite. Apart for odd, rogue, authoritarian Regimes (Russia, China, North Korea, Iran), the world powers all agrees with the fact, the given proof, that Assad regime used the weapons.

Which do you believe most likely to have use the weapons several times against rebel populations, without knowing the proof?Assad regime or the rebel themselves?Is you answer the rebels killed their own children, your logic is sick and I can't argue with you (you probably do not have children to think something like that, while thinking that Assad force did this is really obvious).

" ... Is you answer the rebels killed their own children, your logic is sick and I can't argue with you (you probably do not have children to think something like that, while thinking that Assad force did this is really obvious). ... "

Don't be ridiculous, it's be widely reported with an enormous amount of evidence, that the vast majority of the rebel forces are foreign fighters. They DID NOT bring their kids along to the war with them, they are killing other people's children, and destroying other people's cities, which is what over 70% of the Syrian people support the Assad government still.

There is nothing "obvious" that provides any clear evidence that Assad's forces were involved, and a great deal that very strongly suggests he wasn't. The details are so sketch and arguable so far that the current estimate of fatalities is being quoted as somewhere between 355 and 1800 people. But you want to start WWIII on that sort of basis?

"In fact, would someone care to explain why anybody in his right mind, including Assad, would want to kill more than a thousand innocents in a chemical attack that’s staged to occur just a few days before the UN teams arrive to investigate the prior attack, for which he’s also been accused?"

Like a commenter on Karl Denninger's forum stated, enough of this nonsense on holding Security Councils hostage. Put a vote before the General Assembly and have their defeat handed to them on a platter. Exit the lobbyists.

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